Tinnitus, Deafness and Ear Problems Support Group

This group is for those coping with Tinnitus (ringing ears or ear noise), hearing loss, and all ear issues. Join to find support and get advice from others.

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JohnK 07/12/2007

It's been about 3 weeks now since I've been wearing ear maskers. I've been hesitant to sing their praises too soon, but I have a good song to sing. These maskers are helping me wonderfully. They are technically called "Tranquil BTE Sound Generators." They attatch behind my ear and play essentially white noise. They have adjustable pitch and volume. I know these devices do not work for everyone but I find an external noise easier to deal with than an internal noise. I've had a severe tinnitus for about 4 months now and these maskers are restoring my sanity. Instead of a high pitch loud ring, I now hear what sounds like leaves blowing in the distance or a fan like sound. What seems to be happening is that I'm learning to ignore both sounds. By adjusting the volume on these maskers, (true or false) I'm controling my tinnitus. I'm now dependant on these maskers but much less affraid of tinnitus...

deleted_user 07/15/2007

I also have a masker system with my hearing aids, but I can't sleep with and that is my problem. My Tinnitius is so loud, even the maskers are not has effective has I hope. But I'm glad you found something to relieve your sounds

deleted_user 07/28/2008

I have been looking at this therapy now for weeks. Actually for months. My benzos have been taken away and the shrill sound is hard to deal with - My ENT said $2200 for both - a tinnitus instrument - hearing and white noise - my husband says I will really be disappointed when I take off my $4000 hearing aides and put on the new instruments - he said to me "how can they give you a great hearing aide for $2200 for the pair and a masker when you paid them $4400 for the digital hearing aides? Don't you think you are going to give something up?" But I have wondered if I could just switch back and forth - wear them when the tinnitus is killing me and maybe when sleeping or the kids are at school and then switch back to the regular aides when I go out into the bigger world? Do you have a hearing aide on yours or just the masking? PIP - how is the hearing aide part of the masker - does it work well, I really wanted that masker and I let my husband talk me out of it - it's been six months since I was actually fitted for it -

deleted_user 07/29/2008

JohnK, How much was the masker? and where did you get it?

deleted_user 07/30/2008

Hey Gary,

The custom maskers (non hearing aid types) are expensive $1000 plus each. You have to go to a professional to be fitted. I don't have one but was looking at a generic one for $415. Then there is another model for less but is not recommended by some audiologists. Here is the website.

http://store.hearusa.com/cgi-bin/hearingshop.cgi/GHTN01002.html

How are things going?

Mark

JohnK 07/30/2008

This original post is dated 7/12/2007...

I've been wearing these maskers for over a year now and for me they are a big help. The are white noise generators/maskers. They are the BTE model at www.generalhearing.com

I got them from an audiologist. They were 1500.00/ea - overpriced but worth it for me.

deleted_user 07/30/2008

Another poor man option is buy an ipod nano for $49 and for another $22.95 you can get the Tinnitus Masker Pro and create your own custom mp3 and cd to your exact specifications for your condition.
Tinnitus Masker Pro can significanly help with your symptoms. Tinnitus Masker Pro cannot cure your tinnitus, however it can be extremely beneficial as a realtime masking solution. The output can also be recorded to wav or mp3 ready to create your own masking CDs, using the sounds that work best for you.
http://www.vectormediasoftware.com/index.htm

deleted_user 07/30/2008

I use this little ear bud which makes white noise. I can even sleep with it. Very please with it.

http://store.hearusa.com/cgi-bin/hearingshop.cgi/TN20102.html?id=MA5oszVQ

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